Category archive: Pastor’s Blog

read: “While they were there, the time came for Mary to have her baby.” -Luke 2:4 reflect: Have you ever been involved with a birth? You can do absolutely nothing but that birth. If you’re in the room, you’re timing for the next push. If you’re the waiting family, you’re pacing and praying. If you’re…

read: “They will called the Oaks of Righteousness, planted by the Lord to glorify himself. They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore formerly deserted places.” -Isaiah 61:3-4 reflect: Maybe the holiday bustle has worn you down, or maybe you’ve yet to catch the Christmas spirit (whatever that is!), or maybe you are experiencing your…

read: “He will delight in fearing the Lord.” Isaiah 11:3a reflect: Isaiah says that the One we are waiting for will delight in fearing the Lord. How could there ever be delight in fear? The times I remember being afraid were not delightful. The word translated fear here also means to be in astonishment, or awe. I’m more…

Read: Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.” -Luke 1:46 Reflect: Reading Mary’s magnificat makes me realize I set my emotional and spiritual temperature too much…

Read: Mary said, “With all my heart I glorify the Lord! In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior. He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant. Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored because the mighty one has done great things for…

But you must return to your God; maintain love and justice, and wait for your God always. -Hosea 12:6 The prophet Hosea has been lamenting all of the ways that people are losing their minds and running after false gods in his world. Then he turns from his holy complaint to speak a message from…

read: “Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to them, ‘Do not fear!’” -Isaiah 35:3-4a reflect: Do you ever talk to yourself? Surely most of us do (please tell me I’m not alone!). Isaiah is giving instructions from God to people who are in exile, waiting for God to act on their behalf. They have lost…

read: “A voice is crying out: ’Clear the Lord’s way in the desert! Make a level highway in the wilderness for our God!’” -Isaiah 40:3 reflect: She was waiting for another family member in the school parking lot. I was rushing past her, trying not to be late to our son’s winter orchestra concert. As I…

And the LORD will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. -Isaiah 2:4 Years ago our dear friends working for an airline needed someone…

read: On that day, the root of Jesse will stand as a signal to the peoples. The nations will seek him out, and his dwelling will be glorious. -Isaiah 11:10 reflect: Remember that Jesse was the father of King David, the greatest king of Israel. Jesus came from Jesse’s lineage (as the song “O How a…